Method of preventing and alleviating stress in a healthy mammal in need thereof

ABSTRACT

A pharmaceutical preparation of antistress, stress-protective and nootropic effect contains an effective substance represented by an amino-acid glycine or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt. 
     A method of prophylaxis and curing of stress states and also increasing mental workability consists in sublingually administering an effective amount of the preparation of patent protection sought.

This application is a 371 of PCT/RU92/0005 filed Jan. 10, 1992.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The present invention relates to medicine, more specifically, to a new medicinal preparation of antistress, stress-protective and nootropic effect.

PRIOR ART

The most frequent reaction of a person in a stress situation is psycho-emotional strain accompanied by excitement, anxiety, the worsening of memory and attention and is manifested in irrational, inadequate forms of behaviour, in the decline and disorders of mental capacity, speed of reaction, in the increased number of erroneous decisions etc. Similar disorders are observed in various diseases (neuroses, neurosis-like states, astheno-neurotic reactions, to mention just few), and what is more, the degree of these disorders is increased in the case of acute and chronic stress influences.

In this connection, of substantial importance is a search for and preparation of drugs abating and preventing the effect of a stress factor and also displaying nootropic properties (increasing attention improving memory and mental capacity and also stability of the brain to agressive influences).

Inasmuch as psycho-emotional strain is the response of a human body to various excessive stimuli, then for purposes of eliminating this strain, use is made of calming drugs with tranquilizers of the benzdiasepine seties being widely known and most frequently used, as well as the derivatives of gammaamino-butyric acid (GABA)-phenibute, baclophene, lyoresal which at the same time exhibit a nootropic effect (D. Mashkovsky. "Medicinal drugs", Moscow, MEDITSINA Publishers, 1988, part I, pp. 70-79, 122-123). However, the above-identified tranquilizers and derivatives (GABA) possess serious side-effects. Their doses are accompanied by drowsiness, depression, dizziness, lowered psychomotor reactions, an awkward gait, menstrual cycle disorders, libido and is contraindicated for the persons whose behaviour requires rapid and exact psychic and motor reactions. Besides this, a prolonged use of tranquilizers affects mental working capacity and forms toxicomania.

A number of GABA derivatives are widely known and applied as nootropic drugs; however, they do not possess the antistressor or stress-protective effect (Mashkovsky. "Medicinal drugs", 1988, Meditsina Publishers, part I, pp. 117, 123).

It is known to use glycine as an ingredient of the preparation Mega 3 Vitamins/Minerals, the firm Ortho-Biotics, which is used in stress states and also for enhancing intellectual working capacity (Professional Ortho-Biotics, Catalogue 1989, CH, 1203 Geneva, Pharmacie Des Charmilles, p. 18). Alongside with said glycine, however, this preparation incorporates over 34 different ingredients, including vitamins, displaying an allergizing effect and has high cost price. Moreover, it contains a tryptophan whose application in pharmaceuticals and food additions has currently been prohibited by EDA (December of 1989).

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The claimed preparation is a new one and has not yet been described in literature. It is the principal object of the invention to develop a new medicinal drug possessing antistress, stress-protective and nootropic effects and also high activity; more than that, it is non-toxic and produces no side-effects.

The task has been solved owing to the fact that the claimed preparation comprising an active substance and a pharmaceutical carrier contains, according to the invention, the active substance represented by an amino-acid-glycine (glycocol, aminoacetic acid) of the following formula: ##STR1## The preparation under examination demonstrates a highly effective antistress, stress-protective and nootropic effects and finds a variety of applications in the prophylaxis and treatment of neuroses and neurosis-like states, the residual phenomena of craniocerebral injuries and neuroinfections, astheno-vegetative disorders, in case of chronic alcohol intoxication and alcoholic abstinence and also for enhancing mental capacity.

The medicinal preparation can be used in the form of a powder, a saturated solution and tablets. Preferably it is applied sublingually in the form of tablets containing active substance in an amount of from 0.1 to 0.2 g per tablet. Preferably, the medicinal contains methylcellulose as a pharmaceutical vehicle in an amount of from 0.5 to 2 wt. %. The active substance of the claimed preparation is obtained by a chemical synthesis, biotechnologically or from animal tissues.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The active substance of the claimed preparation is an aliphatic amino-acid glycocol. Said amino-acid is a natural compound contained in animal tissues and is substantially a powdery substance of white color and without smell; it is readily soluble in water and alkaline solutions, but poorly soluble in ethyl alcohols and ethers.

The claimed preparation has been examined in experiments on animals and in clinics on patients (humans).

The antistress, stress-protective and neuro-tropic effects of the claimed preparation were studied on mature male rats weighing from 200 to 300 g and on immature male rats weighing from 30 to 40 g and/or 60 to 80 g and also on mice weighing from 18 to 29 g.

The study of influence of the claimed preparation on the behaviour of animals in an "open field" test after an acute stress action was performed on 20-days-old young male rats weighing 30-40 g. The test and control young rats were subjected to a single electric painful influence in a matter of a second ("electric floor" 59 hertz, 35 v). Prior to influence (before 20 min) a water-dissolved preparation had been administered into the tested young rats on their tongue root in a dose of 2 mg/kg of the mass; a control group was given a corresponding amount of water. Sixty minutes after, the behaviour of animals was investigated in the "open field" test. Additionally use was made, by way of control, of the results of evaluation of the behaviour of the above-mentioned 20-days-old young rats in the "open field" test, which were administered only with water 60 minutes before testing. (cf. Table I).

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                                 Behaviour parameters, M ± m                                         Animal groups                                                                            1           2           3                                            ______________________________________                                         Test (electric                                                                           45.0** ± 13.46                                                                          1.0** ± 0.28                                                                            0                                            painful                                                                        influence +                                                                    claimed                                                                        preparation)                                                                   I Control 101.0* ± 9.68                                                                           3.3 ± 0.48                                                                              0                                            (electric painful                                                              influence with-                                                                out the claimed                                                                preparation)                                                                   II Control                                                                                28.0 ± 12.98                                                                           --          --                                           (without                                                                       electric painful                                                               influence and                                                                  with no claimed                                                                preparation)                                                                   ______________________________________                                                 Behaviour parameters, M ± m                                         Animal groups                                                                            4           5           6                                            ______________________________________                                         Test (electric                                                                           1.0** ± 0.01                                                                            0.4 ± 0.28                                                                              0.4** ± 0.42                              painful                                                                        influence +                                                                    claimed                                                                        preparation)                                                                   I Control 11.0* ± 2.74                                                                            1.2 ± 0.32                                                                               2.0 ± 0.48                               (electric painful                                                              influence with-                                                                out the claimed                                                                preparation)                                                                   II control                                                                                1.7 ± 0.34                                                                             1.0 ± 0.34                                                                               1.0 ± 1.03                               (without                                                                       electric painful                                                               influence and                                                                  with no claimed                                                                preparation)                                                                   ______________________________________                                          Note:                                                                          1. Number of movements; 2. Removed from a floor's edge; 3. Intersection o      a floor's center; 4. Standing postures; 5. Defecation; 6. Washes.              *a difference with II Control is proved, p < 0.05;                             **a difference with I Control is proved, p < 0.05.                       

As seen from Table 1, the claimed preparation as preliminarily administered displays a stress-protective effect and considerably reduces on-stress-dependent excitement manifestations as to both motor factors and emotional-cognitive activity.

There has been studied a stress-protective action of the claimed preparation in an "electric floor" test, in which after a single electric painful irritation (stimulation), reaction components--emotional (squeak), motor (jumps) and aggressive (fights) were registered for a pair of male mice. The claimed preparation administered 60 minutes before the experiment did not exert influence on an emotional reaction, somewhat (1-1.5 points) strengthened a motor component, but reduced the number of fights and increased an aggression reaction threshold by 5±0.8 v.

The antistress and stress-protective action of the claimed preparation has been studied on young rats weighing 30-40 g and grown-up male rats weighing 200-250 g with the use of a model of chronic electric painful influence. In test and control groups, for the purpose of assessing the effect the claimed preparation produces in testing operations, use was made of a test of consumption of 15% ethanol in the conditions of free choice between the ethanol and water, because the chronic stress influence is accompanied by an increased alcohol motivation and an increase in the consumed ethanol, for which purpose utilized was an "electric floor" (50 hertz, 30-40 v) in the case of the young rats and 60 v for the grown-up animals. In the test and control groups of animals, a determination was given during 7 days to an individual daily consumption of 15% ethanol in the conditions of free choice between said 15% ethanol and water. Thereafter the young rats were subjected to quintuple electric painful influence, daily for 2 weeks, on the paws for 5 minutes, duration 1 sec.; the grown-up animals--tenfold influence for 10 minutes, duration 1 sec. Twenty minutes before painful irritation, the test group received the aqueous solution of the claimed preparation on the tongue root in a dose of from 1 to 2 mg/kg of the mass. The control group received a corresponding volume of water. Over 3 weeks, consideration was given, in the conditions of free choice between the 15% ethanol and water, to the individual daily consumption of the 15% ethanol by the rats: 2 weeks during the time period of chronic stress influence and administration of the claimed preparation and 1 week after termination of said electric painful irritation (stimulation) and cancellation of the claimed preparation. The results are given in Table 2.

                  TABLE 2                                                          ______________________________________                                         Influence of the claimed preparation in case                                   of chronic stress effect produced on the                                       daily 15% ethanol consumption by rats                                          (in ml, M ± m)                                                              Animal   Stages of investigation                                               groups   1st week  2nd week  3d week 4th week                                  ______________________________________                                         Young rats:                                                                    Test     2.7 ± 0.2                                                                             4.4 ± 0.3                                                                             2.0 ± 0.2                                                                            1.6 ± 0.18                            Control  2.5 ± 0.2                                                                             8.0 ± 0.4                                                                             6.7 ± 0.3                                                                           3.3 ± 0.3                              Confidence, p                                                                           --        <0.05     <0.05   <0.05                                     Adult                                                                          animals:                                                                       Test      1.8 ± 0.08                                                                            3.4 ± 0.13                                                                            2.5 ± 0.15                                                                         2.3 ± 0.3                              Control   1.9 ± 0.09                                                                            7.1 ± 0.96                                                                            8.4 ± 0.39                                                                         5.9 ± 0.2                              Confidence, p                                                                           --        <0.05     <0.05   <0.05                                     ______________________________________                                    

The data of Table 2 show that the claimed preparation diminishes the alcohol motivation of the animals, and along with this, its antistress effect does not depend on their age and is observed upon termination of its administration and electric painful stimulation. The antistress effect of the claimed preparation was also detected on the animals' behaviour. For instance, the test rats' groups during the entire experiment a considerable reduction of aggressiveness and exciteability vis-a-vis the control groups.

It is commonly known that manipulations with animals (cell sampling, administration of substances, water included) are a unique stress factor and cause a prolonged state of excitement, disturbance, aggressiveness. To clear up the dependence of the antistress effect of the claimed preparation on the nature of stress influence there was investigated the effect of the claimed preparation it exerts on 20-day-old rats with said preparation administered on the tongue root in a dose of 1 mg/kg of mass (test) and a corresponding amount of water (control) in the conditions of free choice between 15% ethanol and water. The results are given in Table 3.

                  TABLE 3                                                          ______________________________________                                         Influence of the claimed preparation on 15% etha-                              nol daily consumed by rats in case of chronic                                  emotional stress (in ml, M ± m)                                             Animal   Stages of examination                                                 groups   1 week    2 week    3 week  4 week                                    ______________________________________                                         Test     3.6 ± 0.3                                                                             4.0 ± 0.3                                                                             2.3 ± 0.3                                                                           2.7 ± 0.2                              Control  3.6 ± 0.3                                                                             6.6 ± 0.3                                                                             6.7 ± 0.3                                                                           5.0 ± 0.3                              Confidence, p                                                                           --        <0.05     <0.05   <0.05                                     ______________________________________                                    

The data of Table 3 show that daily manipulations with the animals intensify alcohol motivation, and administration of the claimed preparation considerably reduces it. Thus, the antistress effect of the claimed preparation does not depend on the nature of the stress factor.

To detect the nootropic effect of the claimed preparation and find out the mechanisms of its action there has been studied the effect produced by the preparation per se on neuro-physiological processes. Experiments were conducted in vivo on male mice weighing 18-22 g and male rats weighing 200-250 g, as well as in vitro on the isolated organs: a guinea pig's ileum and a rat's seminal effervesces.

A comparative examination was given to the influence of the claimed preparation and GABA derivative-phenibut on the orientation motive activity of mice with the automated registration of their movements, and what is more, the claimed preparation and phenibut were introduced intraperitoneally in the form of aqueous solutions, while the control group of animals were administered with a corresponding volume of water. The results are presented in Table 4.

                  TABLE 4                                                          ______________________________________                                                       Number of movements in                                                         10 min in register (M ± m)                                                   Number                    test                                  Dose,          of ani-                   confi-                                mg/kg,         mals in  claimed  pheni-  dence,                                weight                                                                               Tract    a group  prep.    but     p                                     ______________________________________                                         Con-  Intraperi-                                                                              20       657 ± 96                                                                             269 ± 8.4                                                                           <0.05                                 trol  toneally                                                                  2    Intraperi-                                                                              10       371 ± 56      <0.05                                       toneally                                                                 20    Intraperi-                                                                              10       365 ± 79      <0.05                                       toneally                                                                 40    Intraperi-                                                                              10       324 ± 56      <0.05                                       toneally                                                                 40    Into sto-                                                                               10       439 ± 70      <0.05                                       mach                                                                     80    Intraperi-                                                                              10       398 ± 48      <0.05                                       toneally                                                                 100   Intraperi-                                                                              10                434 ± 4.4                                                                           <0.01                                       toneally                                                                 200   Intraperi-                                                                              10       275 ± 23                                                                             186 ± 8.7                                                                           <0.01                                       toneally                                                                 500   Intraperi-                                                                              10                 19 ± 3.0                                                                           <0.01                                       toneally                                                                 ______________________________________                                    

As can really be seen from the table, administration of the claimed preparation 20 minutes before registration is accompanied by a reduction of animals' motor activity, but the degree of a decrease in orientation motive reactions does not depend on a dosage of the preparation claimed. Moreover, as regards the nature of a responsive reaction, the effect of the claimed preparation differs from that of phenibut.

Investigations were conducted to study an effect the claimed preparation has on the rectal temperature of mice. Introduction of the claimed preparation in a dose of 2, 20, 40, 80 and 200 mg/kg of the weight of animals did not after the temperature of the body, as distinct from tranquilizers under whose influence the temperature of the animal body is lowered. In order to grasp an idea of action of the claimed preparation a study was made of same in interaction test with hexenal effects in a dose of 60 mg/kg of the animal's weight, apomorphine in a dose of 2 mg/kg of the animal's weight, phenamine in a dose of 6 mg/kg, arecoline in dose of 25 mg/kg of the animal's weight with evaluation given to duration of latent periods of origination of hexenal/apomorphine/phenamine effects and duration of hexenal sleep, phenamine and apomorphine stereotypy and arecoline hyperkinesia. The results are given in Table 5. As seen from the table, pre-administration of the claimed preparation in a dose of from about 20 to about 60 mg/kg of the animal's weight tells on only increasing a latent period of said apomorphine and phenamine stereotypy. Duration of hexenal sleep and also duration and expression of phenamine and apomorphine stereotypy and arecoline hyperkinesia do not change.

Examination was also performed to find out an effect the claimed preparation produces on mice in testings with Corazolin in a dose of 150 mg/kg of weight whose introduction in said dose causes the death of 100% of the animals after 2-4 minutes. The results are presented in Table 5 from which it follows that intragastric introduction of the claimed preparation 20 minutes before administration of Corazol is accompanied by an increased latent period of Corazol convulsions and some depression of the tonico-extensor component of a twitch paroxysm, but observable effects depend on a dosage of the claimed preparation anyway.

                                      TABLE 5                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Influence of claimed preparation in interaction                                tests on hexenal/phenamine/apomorphine/arecoline/Corazol effects in            __________________________________________________________________________     mice                                                                                        Effect characteristic, M ± m                                                hexenal      phenamine     apomorphine                            Dose,  Number of    duration     duration      duration                        mg/kg of                                                                              animals in                                                                           latent period,                                                                        of sleep,                                                                            latent period,                                                                        of stereotypy,                                                                        latent period,                                                                        of stereotypy,                  animal weight                                                                         a group                                                                              in min.                                                                               in min                                                                               in sec in min in sec in min                          __________________________________________________________________________     Control                                                                               10    36.0 ± 0.9                                                                         33.0 ± 2.5                                                                         98.0 ± 8.0                                                                        69.0 ± 3.2                                                                         86.0 ± 3.0                                                                         21.0 ± 1.2                   Claimed                                                                        preparation:                                                                    2     10    4.5 ± 0.3                                                                          36.0 ± 1.8                                                                        110.0 ± 2.6                                                                        65.0 ± 2.5                                                                         98.0 ± 1.5*                                                                        20.0 ± 0.9                   40     8     4.5 ± 0.6                                                                          32.0 ± 1.9                                                                        115.0 ± 1.5                                                                        62.0 ± 1.6                                                                         104.0 ± 0.9                                                                        22.0 ± 0.6                   200    8     3.8 ± 0.7                                                                          28.0 ± 1.9                                                                         120.0 ± 2.8*                                                                      62.0 ± 2.1                                                                         95.5 ± 0.8                                                                         20.0 ± 0.5                   __________________________________________________________________________                                 Effect characteristic, M ± m                                                Arecoline                                                    Dose of claimed                                                                            Number of    latent                                                                               Corazol                                         preparation,                                                                               animals                                                                              hyperkinesia,                                                                         period,                                                                              tonico-extensor                                                                        life-time,                              mg/kg of animal weight                                                                     in a group                                                                           duration, min                                                                         sec.  phase, min.                                                                            min.                          __________________________________________________________________________               Control     10    15.0 ± 0.9                                                                         34.0 ± 0.9                                                                        100     2.7 ± 0.5                            Claimed preparation:                                                            2          10    16.5 ± 0.4                                                                         39.0 ± 0.6*                                                                       100     2.5 ± 0.7                            20          10    14.8 ± 1.2                                                                         41.0 ± 0.3*                                                                       80      2.8 ± 0.8                            40          10    13.8 ± 0.9                                                                         49.0 ± 0.7*                                                                       70      2.4 ± 0.7                            80          10    14.5 ± 0.9                                                                         45.0 ± 0.9*                                                                       70      3.1 ± 0.9                            200         10    15.6 ± 0.8                                                                         42.5 ± 0.7*                                                                       70      2.4 ± 0.5                  __________________________________________________________________________      Note:                                                                          *difference with the control is actual, p < 0.05.                        

There has been conducted a comparative investigation of the claimed preparation and phenibut on rats in testing interaction with hexenal and Corazol. The results are given in Table 6.

                  TABLE 6                                                          ______________________________________                                         Doses, mg/kg,                                                                  weight        Claimed prepar.                                                                            Phenibut                                             ______________________________________                                                     Hexanal                                                                        Sleep duration,                                                                in min, M ± m                                                   Control       33.0 ± 2.6                                                                              40.7 ± 4.1                                        2             36.0 ± 1.8                                                                              --                                                   40            32.0 ± 1.9                                                                              --                                                   100           --          110.0 ± 8.3                                       200           28.0 ± 1.9                                                                              130.0 ± 8.5                                       Confidence, p >0.1        <0.05                                                            Corazol                                                                        Twitches, latent period,                                                       min., M ± m                                                     Control       34.0 ± 0.9                                                                              52.0 ± 3.9                                        20            41.0 ± 0.3                                                                              --                                                   80            45.0 ± 0.9                                                                              --                                                   100           --          53.0 ± 5.4                                        200           42.5 ± 0.7                                                                              50.0 ± 2.8                                        Test confidence, p                                                                           <0.05       --                                                   ______________________________________                                    

It follows from the table that the effects of the claimed preparation differ in principle from those of phenibut whose effect is similar to the tranquilizers of a benzdiazepin series.

In view of the fact that Corazol interaction tests have revealed a weak antiparoxysmal action of the claimed preparation, its possible antiparoxysmal activity has been studied on mice in testing with Corazol/strychnine intravenous titration and electrical shock influence on models enabling one to specify the mechanism of suppressing the tonico-extensor component of twitch paroxysm. The results are given in Table 7, wherefrom it follows that the claimed preparation does not practically influence said strychnine effects and is inactive towards electrical-shock- caused paroxysms, though somewhat increasing a Corazol threshold dosage causing the outbreak of paroxysm and especially a tonico-extensor phase and death of the animals. Such data go to show that the selective antagonism of the claimed preparation with respect to Corazol, rather than a direct antiparoxysmal effect thereof.

To specify the mechanism of action of the claimed preparation, its activity has been studied in tests on isolated smooth muscle objects (a rat's seminal effervesces and a guinea pig's ileum). By using a movable electrode tube and its sensors there was recorded the contracting activity of said objects in the presence of the claimed preparation, acetylcholine and adrenaline. The results are given in Table 8.

                                      TABLE 7                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Antitwitch action of claimed preparation on                                    mice (group of 10 animals)                                                     __________________________________________________________________________                   Threshold doses                                                                Corazol 1% solution,                                                           ml, M ± m                                                     Dose, mg/kg, of                                                                              Start of    death of                                             animal weight twitch      animal                                               1             2           3                                                    __________________________________________________________________________     Control       0.084 ± 0.008                                                                           0.116 ± 0.020                                     Claimed preparation                                                            (single administ-                                                              ration):                                                                       2             0.095 ± 0.004                                                                           0.119 ± 0.006                                     40            0.091 ± 0.005                                                                           0.130 ± 0.006                                     80            0.095 ± 0.004                                                                            0.135 ± 0.007*                                   200           0.096 ± 0.007                                                                           0.130 ± 0.08                                      Control       0.092 ± 0.005                                                                           0.118 ± 0.006                                     Claimed preparation                                                            (a week-long                                                                   introduction):                                                                 2             0.090 ± 0.007                                                                           0.119 ± 0.004                                     40            0.095 ± 0.005                                                                            0.163 ± 0.005*                                   __________________________________________________________________________                                Maximal                                                                        electric                                                         Threshold doses                                                                              shock                                                            Strychnine 0,01%                                                                             tonico-                                                                             death                                                       solution, ml, M ± m                                                                       extensor                                                                            of                                             Dose, mg/kg, of                                                                             start of                                                                              death of                                                                              phase,                                                                              animal,                                        animal weight                                                                               twitch animal %    %                                              1            4      5      6    7                                              __________________________________________________________________________     Control      0.16 ± 0.020                                                                       0.19 ± 0.030                                                                       100  60                                             Claimed preparation                                                            (single administration):                                                       2            0.17 ± 0.008                                                                       0.21 ± 0.007                                                                       100  70                                             40           0.18 ± 0.007                                                                       0.21 ± 0.005                                                                       100  40                                             80           0.17 ± 0.005                                                                       0.18 ± 0.006                                                                       100  40                                             200          0.15 ± 0.008                                                                       0.19 ± 0.006                                                                       100  70                                             Control                    100  50                                             Claimed preparation                                                            (a week-long introduction)                                                     2                          100  60                                             40                         100  40                                             __________________________________________________________________________      *Difference with the control is actual, p < 0.05.                        

                  TABLE 8                                                          ______________________________________                                                   Amplitude of concentration, mm                                                 (M ± m) and in % to control                                       Claimed   Agonists                                                             preparation,                                                                             adrenaline      acetylcholine                                        concentration,                                                                           (rat's seminal  (guinea pig's                                        M ± m  effervesce)     ileum)                                               1         2         3         4       5                                        ______________________________________                                         Control   69.0 ± 2.8                                                                            100%      107.0 ± 2.5                                                                         100%                                     Claimed                                                                        preparation:                                                                   1 · 10.sup.-6                                                                   65.0 ± 1.2                                                                            94%       116.0 ± 2.4                                                                         109%                                     1 · 10.sup.-5                                                                   57,0 ± 0.8*                                                                           83%       105.0 ± 1.8                                                                          99%                                     1 · 10.sup.-4                                                                   45.0 ± 0.6*                                                                           65,5%      97.0 ± 1.5                                                                          89%                                     ______________________________________                                          *difference with the control is actual, p < 0.05.                        

The table data show that the claimed preparation suppresses the contracting responses to said seminal effervesce adrenaline, without discovering antagonism with said acetylcholine. A weak and mild adrenoblocking action of the claimed preparation at a concentration of 1·10⁻⁵ and 1·10⁻⁴ M testifies to its capability of interacting with adrenorgic receptors, particularly, with alpha₁ -adrenoreceptors. By analogy with other known pharmacological preparations one can assume that the same interaction with said alpha₁ -adrenoreceptors is by the claimed preparation with brain adrenoreceptors, too, a factor that explains its antistressor activity in case of acute and chronic stress influence accompanied by an increase of said adrenaline in tissues.

There has been studied the influence of the claimed preparation on spontaneous bioelectrical activity of the brain of rats with its being recorded with animals with permanently implanted electrodes in free behaviour. The table 9 data show that with the dosage of 40 mg/kg of the animal weight, the claimed preparation, intraperitoneally introduced, tends to call for a synchronizing effect on an encephalogram, which came through an increased amplitude and electroencephalogram slow rhythm indices. However, this action of the claimed preparation differs from that of conventional preparations exerting synchronizing effect and influencing the amplitude and said slow rhythm index in the presence of the effect in the form of repeated episodes with a frequency of 1 to 2 times per hour during a 4-hour long experiment.

                                      TABLE 9                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Influence of the claimed preparation on                                        bioelectric activity of rats' brain                                            __________________________________________________________________________     Dose,       Index,       Amplitude,                                            mg/kg,      %, M ± m  mV, M ± m                                                animal                                                                               slow  fast   slow    fast                                          Preparation                                                                          weight                                                                               activ.                                                                               activ. activ.  activ.                                        1     2     3     4      5       6                                             __________________________________________________________________________     Control     12 ± 1.9                                                                          22 ± 2.8                                                                           277 ± 10                                                                            273 ± 76                                   Claimed                                                                               2    15 ± 1.2                                                                          20 ± 1.5                                                                           315 ± 14                                                                            325 ± 24                                   preparation                                                                          40    60 ± 7.4**                                                                        17 ± 4.1                                                                            380 ± 21*                                                                          243 ± 10                                   Phenibut                                                                             90    87 ± 3.1**                                                                        77 ± 0.9**                                                                          550 ± 19**                                                                          54 ± 4**                                  __________________________________________________________________________               Dose,   Maximal effect                                                         mg/kg,  appearance time from                                                   animal  the start of   Nature of                                     Preparation                                                                              weight  experiment, in min                                                                            effect                                        1         2       7              8                                             __________________________________________________________________________     Control                                                                        Claimed    2                                                                   prepar.   40      70             episodic (1-2                                                                  episodes per                                                                   hr)                                           Phenibut  90      40             Permanent                                                                      (effective for                                                                 over 3 hrs)                                   __________________________________________________________________________      *p < 0.05, **p < 0.001.                                                  

Thus, the experimental investigations in question have shown that the claimed preparation has antistressor and stress-protective effects and nootropic properties and, displaying at the same time a sedative and synchronizing effect on EEG, is devoid of the properties of typical tranquilizers and GABA derivatives, phenibut, which sharply inhibit motor activity as a dose is increased, as well as raise to a higher power the effect of hexenal, prolong hexenal sleep and simultaneously reduce the tonico-extensor component of Corazol and strychnine twitches and electrical shock. The claimed preparation exhibits the highest efficiency in a dose of 1 to 2 mg/kg of weight and when increased, the degree of alterations explained by its effective dosage retains, which also is a fundamental distinction of the claimed preparation from benzdiazepines and GABA derivatives.

LD₅₀ of the claimed preparation have been detected on mice (a group of 50 animals weighing 25-30 g) and on rats (a group of 30 animals weighing 200-250 g). It has been established that with intragastric introduction, LD₅₀ is over 3000 mg/kg of animal weight and, hence, the claimed preparation is non-toxic.

The pathomorphological examination of animal's internal organs, after the repeated intragastric introduction of the claimed preparation over 60 days in a dose of about 200 mg/kg of animal weight did not discover morphological and pathological changes thereof.

A study was made of influence the claimed preparation has on mental capacity, its antistressor and stress-protective action on 20 healthy persons, 33 alcoholics and 154 children and teen-agers of school age. The control groups of adults, children and teen-agers received a placebo or did not receive the claimed preparation, the latter being taken once in a dose of 2 mg/kg of weight subligually or during a course of treatment over 14-30 days in a dose of 2 mg/kg twice-thrice a day. The examination of the effect produced by the claimed preparation was carried out through special tests (Tables of Krepelin, Schulte et al) enabling one to evaluate the rate of counting-calculating operations, attention short-lived memory, Central Nerve System state, the state of sensomotor reactions and the cardiovascular system.

To assess the influence the claimed preparation exerts on the speed of counting-computing operations, use was made of a table containing 184 pairs of prime numbers which are added up in pairs of prime numbers which are added up in pairs with account of the time of execution of the task. A test permits evaluating the rate of counting-computing operations per unit time (in each and every minute), duration of execution of the task (time spent for adding 184 pairs of numbers), the number of mistakes, the speed of attention switching and the degree of weariness. The study of influence of a single dose of the claimed preparation on the speed of counting-computing operations shows that 30 min after the dose of the claimed preparation in 79.5% of cases of children and teen-agers, the time for adding up numbers is reduced by 1.5-2 minutes and the number of errors diminishes twice in counting. No substantial changes took place in the control group of children in testing 30 minutes after a placebo was taken. The influence of the claimed preparation was investigated it produces on the speed of counting-computing operations with practically healthy adults and alcoholics. The results are given in Tables 10 and 11.

                                      TABLE 10                                     __________________________________________________________________________     Practically healthy people                                                           Number                                                                              Speed of Number                                                                              Those Test                                                  of tested                                                                           addition in                                                                             of   making                                                                               reliability,                                    Stages                                                                               people                                                                              pair/min, M ± m                                                                      mistakes                                                                            mistakes, %                                                                          p                                               __________________________________________________________________________     Before                                                                               20   48.0 ± 1.1                                                                           2    85    --                                              taking a                                                                       placebo                                                                        30 min                                                                               20   47.0 ± 1.7                                                                             1.9                                                                               80                                                    after                                                                          taking a                                                                       placebo                                                                        Before                                                                               20   47.0 ± 1.8                                                                           2    80                                                    taking the                                                                     claimed                                                                        preparation                                                                    30 min                                                                               20   52.0 ± 1.9                                                                           1    40    <0.05                                           after                                                                          taking                                                                         the claimed                                                                    preparation                                                                    __________________________________________________________________________

                  TABLE 11                                                         ______________________________________                                         Alcoholics                                                                              Number             Addition                                                                               Test                                       Patient  of                 pair/min,                                                                              reliability,                               groups   tested   Study stage                                                                              M ± m                                                                               p                                          ______________________________________                                         Alcoholic                                                                               10       Before    28.0 ± 1.0                                                                          <0.05                                      abstinence        taking the                                                   syndrome          claimed                                                      (2nd day)         preparation                                                                    After     32.0 ± 1.6                                                        taking the                                                                     claimed                                                                        preparation                                                  Alcoholyses                                                                             35       Before    47.0 ± 1.2                                                                          <0.05                                      (remission        taking the                                                   period)           claimed                                                                        preparation                                                                    After     51.0 ± 1.8                                                        taking the                                                                     claimed                                                                        preparation                                                  ______________________________________                                    

The claimed preparation was investigated for an effect it produces on attention, short-lived memory and sensomotor reactions of children of school age. The examination of attention was performed by using Schulte test which provides for a square chart produced before a patient (tested) that is divided into 49 squares containing confusedly arranged red and black numbers (24 and 25, respectively). The numbers are sought in the chart in strict order, say, red ones in increasing order and black ones in decreasing order, and along with this, the time is fixed for execution of the entire assignment, the time of search of each and every figure and the number of mistakes. The test makes it possible to assess attention and reveal the persons having enhanced emotional responses.

To study the state of short-lived memory, use was made of a test based on reproduction of 10 two-digit numbers shown on the screen for 20 sec. With a repeated testing, there was exhibited a new series of numbers. Sensomotor reactions were evaluated with the aid of a visual-motor reaction (differentiation of optical signals from 20 applications).

Control and test groups carried out the entire volume of tests twice: the first investigation was assessed as initial (background), whereupon the test group of children received the claimed preparation one time in a dose of 2 mg/kg of weight, while the control one--a placebo, and the testing was repeated.

Investigations show that all pupils fulfilled a first series of tests (background) in full scope; nevertheless, the majority of them observed fatigue: pronounced--10.4%, mild--18.7%, insignificant--62.5%, whilst 87.5% of the tested noted that the greatest of difficulties they encountered in remembering two-digit numbers due to high agitation and the lack of ability to focus, as well as in seeking numbers in Schulte test, the latter causing the pronounced nerve-psychic commotion of the persons under test that was accompanied by reddened faces, tremor of hands, and pronounced perspiration. The repeated testing in the test group has revealed a positive effect the claimed preparation has on emotional state, mental capacity, memory and attention. After taking the claimed preparation there was noticed (in 87.2% cases) the subjective and objective improvement of general state: disappearance of weariness, appearance of greater attentiveness and a calmer state in performing the tests. The results of the second testing are given in Table 12.

The data of the table show that the volume of short-lived memory has increased on the average of 25% in 58.9% of cases and it did not worsen with 25.7% of the tested and remained on the initial level. With 56.4% of students, the claimed preparation caused a reduction of the latent period of a visual-motor reaction and the number of differentiation disruptions. The dose of the claimed preparation has markedly influenced attention as well, by reducing the attention switching time and the number of mistakes made.

With the children receiving a placebo there was observed, in 65% of cases of repeated examination, increased fatigue and decreased workability (worsening of memory by 20% and optical-motor reaction indices, and an increased attention switching time).

                  TABLE 12                                                         ______________________________________                                         Influence of the claimed preparation on                                        pupils' mental capacity                                                        ______________________________________                                                     Mental capacity indices                                                        Visual-motor reaction                                                                          differentiation                                                                disruption, in                                     Stages of     latent period nominal units                                      examination   in min, M ± m                                                                             M ± m                                           1             2             3                                                  ______________________________________                                         No dose of the                                                                               0.53 ± 0.01                                                                               0.71 ± 0.15                                     claimed preparation                                                            After taking the                                                                             0.51 ± 0.01                                                                               0.46 ± 0.13                                     preparation                                                                    Test reliability,                                                                            <0.05         <0.05                                              ______________________________________                                                  Mental capacity                                                                Shortlived                                                                     memory,  Attention switching                                                     in nom.               number of                                     Stages     units,     time, sec, errors,                                       examination                                                                               M ± m   M ± m   M ± m                                      1          4          5          6                                             ______________________________________                                         No dose of the                                                                            38.97 ± 2.59                                                                           124.97 ± 10.17                                                                         6.64 ± 1.2                                 claimed prepar.                                                                After taking                                                                              46.92 ± 2.58                                                                           95.39 ± 6.11                                                                           3.20 ± 0.39                                the preparation                                                                Test reliabi-                                                                             <0.05      <0.05      <0.05                                         lity, p                                                                        ______________________________________                                    

In addition to an evaluation given to the indices reflecting mental capacity, the students were checked, during testings and taking exams, for a pulse rate and arterial pressure, which largely reflect the degree of nerve-psychic tension. The results are given in Table 13.

Said data show that the claimed preparation eliminates a change in a pulse rate and arterial pressure in tested persons which occur in the conditions of heightened nerve-psychic agitation. In case of the claimed preparation being taken 30 minutes before an exam 95% of the students noted disappearance of fear and internal discomfort. The observations of an examiner-teacher confirm the fact that the behaviour of children in preparing to and taking an examination was calmer, the children found a correct answer quicker and their marks exceeded those of the school year by 0.5-1 point, chiefly in maths (80% had good and excellent marks 4 and 5; 60%--in the control). There have been conducted electrocardiographic investigations of the action the claimed preparation produces with a single dose thereof on the characteristics of cardiac rhythm of the pupils. The results are presented in Table 14, wherefrom it is seen that the claimed preparation has a favourable effect of a human under test in case a nerve-psychic tension.

A study was made of influence of the claimed preparation, when taken chronically, on the mental workability of elementary form pupils who encounter difficulties in learning and who attend correction classes. The control of the effective action of the claimed preparation was exercized with the use of corrective tests. Examination of the mental capacity dynamics of the tested was performed in two stages. During a first working week, an initial level of workability was determined daily; during a second week, the same workability indices were studied with the same children in experimental conditions against a background of the claimed preparation being taken. The results are presented in Table 15, from which we can see that the pupils demonstrated a relatively significant reduction of the index of the number of mistakes, against a background of the dose of the claimed preparation, by 500 signs before and after classes and an increased percentage of assignments fulfilled without mistakes. These results corroborate a positive influence the claimed preparation produces on attention and CNS functional state stimulation.

A study was also made of the claimed preparation, when taken once or regularly (during 14 days), on the psycho-emotional state and the EEG indicators of teen-agers with the deviation forms of behaviour. Clinical and psychological investigations have shown that on taking the claimed preparation, weariness, irritation and internal unrest significantly abate.

                  TABLE 13                                                         ______________________________________                                         Influence of claimed preparation on heart                                      beat dynamics/arterial pressure indicators                                     of schoolboys with mental loading in heightened                                nerve-psychic tension conditions                                                           Pulse                                                                          frequiency,                                                                               Arterial pressure,                                      Investigative                                                                              spec./min.,                                                                               mm Hg, M ± m                                         stages      M ± m   systolic   diastolic                                    ______________________________________                                         Lab conditions:                                                                1 background                                                                   (before taking                                                                 claimed                                                                        preparation):                                                                  a) prior to tests                                                                          79.5 ± 1.8                                                                             110.1 ± 1.9                                                                            63.6 ± 1.5                                b) after testing                                                                           89.8 ± 2.1                                                                             115.6 ± 2.8                                                                            71.5 ± 1.8                                test confidence,                                                                           <0.05      --         <0.05                                        II major (after                                                                taking claimed                                                                 preparation):                                                                  a) prior to tests                                                                          76.8 ± 1.4                                                                             110.2 ± 1.7                                                                            69.3 ± 1.3                                b) after testing                                                                           78.1 ± 1.4                                                                             107.7 ± 1.5                                                                            69.2 ± 1.1                                Investigations                                                                 during exams:                                                                  I before the exams                                                                         95.7 ± 2.1                                                                             137.7 ± 3.1                                                                            70.0 ± 2.0                                (without taking                                                                claimed                                                                        preparation)                                                                   II after the exams:                                                            a) after taking                                                                            72.8 ± 2.3                                                                             112.8 ± 2.8                                                                            65.7 ± 1.5                                claimed prepar.                                                                b) without taking                                                                          94.0 ± 2.4                                                                             140.1 ± 1.7                                                                            75.4 ± 1.8                                claimed prepar.                                                                Test confidence, p                                                                         <0.05      <0.05      <0.05                                        ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 14                                                         ______________________________________                                         Influence of claimed preparation on school-                                    boy's heart-beat characteristic with mental                                    loading in conditions of increased nerve-                                      psychic tension                                                                ______________________________________                                                     Heart-beat characteristics according                                           to R. Baevsky (Prognostication                                                 on the threshold of norm and                                                   pathology, 1979, Moscow, Meditsina                                             Publishers, pp. 107-116)                                           Investigative Mo, sec,  Amo, %,    Δx, sec,                              stages        M ± m  M ± m   M ± m                                    1             2         3          4                                           ______________________________________                                         1. Background                                                                  (before taking                                                                 claimed                                                                        preparation):                                                                  a) prior to tests                                                                            0.77 ± 0.02                                                                           33.4 ± 2.1                                                                             0.37 ± 0.01                              b) after performing                                                                          0.75 ± 0.03                                                                           42.0 ± 1.8                                                                             0.28 ± 0.01                              tests                                                                          Test confidence,                                                                             --        <0.05      <0.05                                       II. Major investigations                                                       (after a dose                                                                  of claimed                                                                     preparation):                                                                  a) prior to tests                                                                            0.75 ± 0.03                                                                           32.0 ± 2.0                                                                             0.39 ± 0.01                              b) after testing                                                                             0.74 ± 0.03                                                                           36.4 ± 2.2                                                                             0.38 ± 0.01                              ______________________________________                                                     Heart-beat characteristics according                                           to R. Baevsky (Prognostication                                                 on the threshold of norm and                                                   pathology, 1979, Moscow, Meditsina                                             Publishers, pp. 107-116)                                           Investigative   AMo/Δx,                                                                               tension                                           stages          M ± m     index, M ± m                                   1               5            6                                                 ______________________________________                                         1. Background (before                                                          taking claimed                                                                 preparation):                                                                  a) prior to tests                                                                              94.1 ± 3.6                                                                               62.1 ± 4.1                                     b) after performing                                                                            154.6 ± 5.1                                                                              105.3 ± 3.5                                    tests                                                                          Test confidence, p                                                                             <0.05        <0.05                                             II. Major investigations                                                       (after a dose of                                                               claimed preparation):                                                          a) prior to tests                                                                              83.8 ± 4.0                                                                               57.6 ± 3.6                                     b) after testing                                                                               94.8 ± 4.1                                                                               65.3 ± 3.3                                     ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 15                                                         ______________________________________                                         Influence of claimed preparation on mental                                     capacity of primary form schoolboys                                            ______________________________________                                                  Investigative stages                                                           week's second day                                                              before classes                                                                              after classes                                                       without                                                             Mental     claimed            with-                                            workability                                                                               prepar.   after    out     after                                    indicators dose      dose     . . .   . . .                                    ______________________________________                                         Number of errors                                                                          11.4 ± 2.6                                                                            6.5 ± 1.6                                                                            12.1 ± 1.6                                                                          7.8 ± 1.8                             per 500 symbols,                                                               M ± m                                                                       Test confidence, p                                                                        <0.05          <0.05                                                Work without                                                                              0         16.5     0      25.0                                      mistakes, %                                                                    ______________________________________                                                  Investigative stages                                                           week's fourth day                                                     Mental     before classes after classes                                        workability                                                                               without   after    without after                                    indicators dose      dose     dose    dose                                     ______________________________________                                         Number of errors                                                                          14.7 ± 2.4                                                                            7.6 ± 1.9                                                                            14.9 ± 2.4                                                                          8.4 ± 1.2                             per 500 symbols,                                                               M ± m                                                                       Test confidence, p                                                                        <0.05          <0.05                                                Work without                                                                              21.4      28.6     0       14.3                                     mistakes, %                                                                    ______________________________________                                    

The EEG results are presented in Tables 16 and 17 wherefrom one can see that the EEG of the tested shows the positive dynamics of indicators both after one-time and regular doses of the claimed preparation. More, on the basis of all the examined EEG indicators it has been established that the claimed preparation has nootropic activity and its action is directed to optimization of the CNS functional state and normalization of the speed of response of the brain. A placebo dose did not reveal the statistically important alterations of parameters of said electroencephalogram (Table 18) the data of which go to show that the "placebo effect" is accompanied, both after single and repeated doses, by the oppositely directed EEG indicators, which is not observed in the dynamics of EEG parameters on taking the claimed preparation.

So, the claimed preparation manifests pronounced antistressor and stress-protective effects and property to increase mental capacity (workability) both in ordinary conditions and nerve-psychic tension. Its application is most effective for increasing mental capacity in case of neuroses and neurosis-like states, the residual symptoms of cerebral trauma, deviation forms of behaviour, alcoholism, and asthenia-vegetative disturbances. It is also effective as a stress-protector with the psycho-emotional agitation of practically healthy people.

The claimed preparation is absolutely safe, exhibits mild action and has no contraindications.

Industrial applicability

The claimed preparation of antistress, stress-protective and nootropic action finds application in adults' and children's practice in cases of attention/memory disturbances, reduced mental activity, neuroses, neurosis-like states, cerebral residual symptoms, impediment of psychic development, deviation forms of behaviour, alcoholism, and psychic-nerve agitation.

                  TABLE 16                                                         ______________________________________                                                      Stages                                                                           before              after a                                                    a dose of 1,5 hrs   two-week                                    Background EEG claimed   after     course                                      parameters     preparation                                                                              a dose    dose                                        1              2         3         4                                           ______________________________________                                         EEG variation, in                                                                             a) 2.81   a) 2.89   a) 3.00                                     arbitrary units                                                                               b) 1.81   b) 2.79*  b) 2.42*                                    Expression of                                                                  α-rhythm in arbit-                                                                      4.10 ± 4.89 ± 4.54 ±                                   rary units, M ± m                                                                          0.23      0.15**    0.31                                        α-index, %, M ± m                                                                    59.70 ±                                                                               74.60 ±                                                                               71.40 ±                                                 5.00      4.89**    6.40                                        α-frequency, Hertz,                                                                     10.20 ±                                                                               10.60 ±                                                                               10.40 ±                                  M ± m       0.13      0.11      0.14                                        α-oscillation amp-                                                                      96.60 ±                                                                               105.70 ±                                                                              95.00 ±                                  litude mV, M ± m                                                                           4.80      6.21      5.16                                        Expression of patho-                                                                          3.18 ± 1.71 ± 1.93 ±                                   logically acute waves                                                                         0.11      0.18**    0.16**                                      and peaked oscillation,                                                        arbitrary units, M ± m                                                      β-rhythm expression,                                                                     2.65 ± 2.14 ± 2.07 ±                                   arbitrary units, M ± m                                                                     0.08      0.06**    0.11**                                      β-rhythm, low-frequency                                                                  1.81 ± 1.21 ± 1.29 ±                                   expression, arbitrary                                                                         0.36      0.31      0.25                                        units, M ± m                                                                β-rhythm amplitude,                                                                      28.10 ±                                                                               13.60 ±                                                                               16.40 ±                                  mV, M ± m   3.22      2.01**    3.56                                        Expression of bio-                                                                            4.69 ± 2.85 ± 3.60 ±                                   potential slow 0.24      0.22**    0.26                                        forms, arbitrary                                                               units, M ± m                                                                Slow wave index,                                                                              42.20 ±                                                                               27.20 ±                                                                               31.70 ±                                  %, M ± m    2.13      2.61**    1.82**                                      Biopotential slow                                                                             75.00 ±                                                                               41.40 ±                                                                               44.20 ±                                  form amplitude, mV,                                                                           6.11      5.51**    5.74**                                      M ± m                                                                       Paroxysmal bursts,                                                                            3.30 ± 2.21 ± 3.00 ±                                   arbitrary units,                                                                              0.18      0.15**    0.21                                        M ± m                                                                       ______________________________________                                          Note:                                                                          *difference with initial data (before a dose of the claimed preparation)       according to Wilcoxon nonparametric criterion is actual, p < 0.05.             **difference with initial data (before a dose of the claimed preparation)      is actual, p < 0.05.                                                     

                  TABLE 17                                                         ______________________________________                                                   Stages                                                                             before a dose                                                                              1,5 hrs  after                                       Reactive      of the claimed                                                                             after    two-week                                    EEG parameters                                                                               preparation a dose   course                                      1             2           3        4                                           ______________________________________                                         Eye opening-                                                                   closing reaction:                                                              a) response, arbit-                                                                          3.27 ±   3.71 ±                                                                               3.07 ±                                   rary units, M ± m                                                                         0.18        0.27     0.21                                        b) biopotential                                                                              32.30 ±  25.40 ±                                                                              23.60 ±                                  amplitude decline,                                                                           4.11        3.23     4.16                                        mV, M ± m                                                                   Attention mobilization:                                                        a) reaction experssion,                                                                      1.97 ±   2.82 ±                                                                               3.21 ±                                   arbitrary units, M ± m                                                                    0.16        0.08*    0.07*                                       Sonic signal count:                                                            a) reaction expres-                                                                          2.73 ±   3.64 ±                                                                               3.79 ±                                   sion, arbitrary                                                                              0.17        0.30     0.15*                                       units, M ± m                                                                b) reaction suppres-                                                                         10.50 ±  5.79 ±                                                                               6.57 ±                                   sion, sonic signals,                                                                         1.30        0.94*    1.21                                        M ± m                                                                       HV-reaction (test                                                              with hyperventilation):                                                        a) reaction expres-                                                                          3.58 ±   2.07 ±                                                                               2.64 ±                                   sion arbitrary                                                                               0.12        0.07*    0.12                                        units, M ± m                                                                b) after-effect,                                                                             33.20 ±  12.40 ±                                                                              20.70 ±                                  sec, M ± m 3.84        2.51*    4.89                                        Repeated response                                                              to eye opening-closing:                                                        a) reaction expres-                                                                          2.67 ±   3.73 ±                                                                               3.00 ±                                   sion, arbitrary                                                                              0.26        0.28     0.23                                        units, M ± m                                                                Presence of errors                                                                           63.00 ±  28.60 ±                                                                              33.00 ±                                  in count, %, M ± m                                                                        5.16        4.68*    8.03*                                       ______________________________________                                          Note:                                                                          *difference with initial data (before taking the claimed preparation) is       actual, p < 0.05.                                                        

                  TABLE 18                                                         ______________________________________                                         Background (reactive EEG of a control group                                    of teen-agers with deviation forms of                                          behaviour with placebo single) regular dose                                                 Investigative stages                                                                                after                                                       before    1.5 hrs  two-week                                                    a placebo after    placebo                                      EEG parameters dose      a dose   course                                       1              2         3        4                                            ______________________________________                                         EEG variations,                                                                               a) 2.75   a) 2.69  a) 2.78                                      arbitrary units                                                                               b) 1.76   b) 1.71  b) 1.79                                      α-index, %, M ± m                                                                    64.50 ±                                                                               70.80 ±                                                                              60.40 ±                                                  4.05      3.26     3.18                                         α-rhythm ampli-                                                                         89.10 ±                                                                               86.30 ±                                                                              96.40 ±                                   tude, mV, M ± m                                                                            4.32      2.17     4.96                                         Expression of patho-                                                                          3.29 ± 2.84 ±                                                                               2.67 ±                                    logic acute waves                                                                             0.20      0.18     0.17                                         and peaked oscilla-                                                            tion in arbitrary                                                              units, M ± m                                                                β-rhytm:                                                                  a) expression arbit-                                                                          2.87 ± 2.68 ±                                                                               2.56 ±                                    rary units, M ± m                                                                          0.13      0.11     0.15                                         b) amplitude, mV,                                                                             32.70 ±                                                                               26.90 ±                                                                              24.60 ±                                   M ± m       2.85      3.17     3.24                                         Response to eye                                                                opening-closing:                                                               a) reaction expers-                                                                           3.11 ± 2.82 ±                                                                               3.22 ±                                    sion, arbitrary                                                                               0.13      0.16     0.16                                         units, M ± m                                                                b) biopotential                                                                               39.40 ±                                                                               38.20 ±                                                                              43.40 ±                                   amplitude decline,                                                                            2.19      1.81     2.42                                         mV, M ± m                                                                   Attention                                                                      mobilizaton:                                                                   a) reaction expers-                                                                           2.10 ± 1.89 ±                                                                               2.17 ±                                    sion arbitrary 0.09      0.17     0.11                                         units, M ± m                                                                ______________________________________                                     

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of preventing stress in a healthy mammal in need thereof or alleviating acute or chronic stress in a healthy mammal in need thereof comprising administering sublingually a composition in tablet form comprising from 0.1 to 0.2 g of glycine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and methyl cellulose.
 2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the amount of methylcellulose present in the composition is from 0.5 to 2 weight %.
 3. A method of alleviating stress in a mammal in need thereof comprising administering sublingually a composition in tablet form comprising from 0.1 to 0.2 g of glycine or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt and methycellulose to the mammal before the mammal is subjected to a stimuli or situation that will cause stress.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the amount of methylcellulose present in the composition is from 0.5 to about 2 weight %. 